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This Taxi Driver Is Offering Free Lifts To Leaving Cert Students Tonight

Mayo man Joe Freeley is doing a very special thing for both Leaving Certificate students and Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm prevention charity, this very evening.

Joe runs a taxi service, Ireland West Taxis, based in Ballyhaunis County Mayo, and tonight, on Leaving Cert results night, Freeley is offering a free lift home service for students who've sat the state exam.

Joe told Lovin.ie,

Every year on results night, I try raise some sort of money for charity. The last three years I've been doing it for Pieta.

I've seen families be devastated by self-harm and suicide and I just felt that on Leaving Certificate night is an opportunity to students that there is help out there and there are people out there to talk to. I've raised a large family and I know what its like to see kids up and down – not everyone is going to be happy with their results and it's a stressful time and I feel it's a perfect opportunity to raise money for Pieta House.

Joe Freeley, Ireland West Taxis

Joe, a parent himself, is happy he can provide safe lifts home for the young people of the area so their parents don't have to worry about them walking home alone in the dark.

He also commented on how incredibly generous students have been on these nights.

The students are absolutely amazing, every year they just astonish me with their generosity. The donation is encouraged but not obligatory. In last three years there has been more in the Pieta House bucket than if I'd been collecting a fare. The students are absolutely amazing.

Joe understands that it'd be difficult to start this up in the city, but he would love to see fellow taxi drives in more rural areas rising to the challenge.